CQC and Monitor

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the regulator for all health and social care services in England. This includes hospitals, care homes, GP surgeries, dental care services and domiciliary care services in England. It sets national standards for these services, undertakes inspections and publishes reports of these inspections.

We have a memorandum of understanding with the CQC that sets out the working relationship in relation to promoting patient safety and high quality care. We also have a joint operating protocol with the CQC (annex 2 of the memorandum of understanding) which sets out the operational model of how we cooperate together to share information.

Monitor is the regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts. It's main duty is to protect and promote the interests of patients by ensuring the provision of effective health care services. It has an ongoing role in assessing NHS trusts for foundation trust status and for ensuring that foundation trusts are well-led, in terms of both quality and finances.